And even when this isn’t my first time to say these words, I am still so nervous. Especially when I see that look on Relani Riego’s face. She looks indifferent but attentive. I don’t know if she likes my ideas or not. Pakiramdam ko ay napakahalaga ng kanyang opinyon sa akin.

“This will be our first project for the middle class. At alam ng lahat na ang Vista Grande ay madalas para lang sa mga mayayaman. This is why we will reach out to the masses and inform them that these properties are affordable. They can loan it. We will offer that.” Tumango ako.

Damn!

Some board members nodded at me. Ngumiti rin si Engineer Alfeche nang napadpad ang tingin ko sa kanya. I can’t look at Radleigh’s eyes because I’d probably forget what I have to say.

“Thank you, Miss Valderama,” bati noong lalaki. “I like your idea. I think this is achievable but I think the middle class will think that this low-cost housing isn’t low-cost at all. Unang tingin pa lang, mukhang pang mayaman na,” sambit nito.
I nodded. “That is why ads will play an important role for this project. This is the first of Vista Grande. We will adjust and I think people will eventualyy realize that it is low-cost. Pag-igihan lang ang pag-aadvertise. And… I think for every company, there are firsts. For the Vista Grande, this is the break we need to work on.”

“Well, I personally think this isn’t feasible. This isn’t a 500-thousand-pesos-design. This is more! The materials used were standard but the costing isn’t accurate. Mas mahal ang materyales nito sa totoo lang, Miss Leviste. this could cost for about seven hundred thousand to eight hundred thousand pesos! At hindi iyon low cost.”

Tumango si Tita Relani sa sinabi ni Agatha. Ethan raised his hand but Agatha only smiled at him, almost telling him to let her speak first. Umiling ako kay Ethan. Though we are cousins and this is his company, I want to take charge of this. Ito lang ang pinagkatiwala sa akin, hindi ko pa magawa ng mabuti.

“I think we can actually get the low-cost housing if we just reduce your design to something simpler. This is too complex. There are too many unecessary corners. Why not make it a box, instead?”

Shit. Okay. Breathe, Zari. Let her finish her comments before you speak and defend yourself.

“Also, the forty square meters can be reduced. So instead of a single detached home, why not make it attached. Say the whole block is attached with each other. That way, we can minimize space and materias.”

“I acknowledge that I wasn’t very careful with my presentation in terms of the costs of materials since my employees provided that one for me. But I will further research on that, I think I can do something about it…” magpapatuloy sana ako sa iba pa pero nagsalita si Agatha.
“That already means that the whole presentation isn’t well thought about.”
“Agatha, the costs of the materials here are correct. Some of them should be updated but I think it will still hit the exact mark,” si Radleigh.

“The price of the cement is outdated, Zari. This could be good if it’s substandard but we won’t let that happen.”

Damn! Kung si Ethan na ang nagsabi, totoo na ito!

“The price is outdated maybe because of the cement used here, Ethan. The RHI is an affiliate with the largest cement industry here. I believe you are also an affiliate of that,” may tinanguan si Radleigh. “If we use that one, we can easily fall to the low-cost housing.”

“We have to understand also, Radleigh, that this issue isn’t just about how we can make this all feasible. This is a question also of credibility… and the ability to provide a high quality project. If Miss Leviste has given us that fault at first, there might be a bigger problem out there. Na hindi pa natin alam.”

I know the awkward silence from the board members mean something. Siguro’y nararamdaman nila ang tensyon. Siguro’y iniisip nilang dinadala ko rito ang personal na buhay for… most of them know I’ve been engaged to Radleigh years ago. And of course, all of them knows that Agatha is his recent fiancee.

“Thank you, Engineer Riego. I appreciate the quick response to the raised question. Gaya ng sinabi ko, I will personally research on that. My team on Vista Grande’s always been competitive. I know for sure they can explain to me how they’ve arrived with this costing.” Ngumiti ako.

“Miss Valderama suggested to make the design a box instead of my cornered and modern design. Well, I can’t do that since that will attract the possible clients. Sa dami ng low cost housing ngayon na box ang disenyo, anong pinagkaiba natin sa kanila? This is to live by the mission of this project and that is to provide a modern looking low-cost house.”

“And for the single detached, personally, I want that design. That design can give clients the security and privacy. Most attached design look so much like a low-cost housing. Which is, again, a violation of my mission.”
“So you want the poor clients to feel rich even when they are poor?”

“I think that’s a good idea, actually. People live happier if they don’t think about their financial problems that much. Giving them a better idea in life will make these clients feel more satisfied with their lives.”

“I agree with Miss Valderama. People won’t mind if it’s a boxed unit. The middle-class don’t usually care about the designs of the house so a box and an attached units is a better solution to that.”
“Tama! Plus, the complex design of Miss Leviste will not attract the clients because they might think it is expensive.”

Oh damn it!

“We are dealing with the middle class, here. Not the poor. Alam ng mga iyan ang importansya ng magandang disenyo ng isang bahay. I hope we don’t underestimate the clients. Social media is very accessible right now and the clients have surely dreamed of having a modern and neat house,” medyo iritado ko nang sinabi.

Ethan raised his hand. Tumango ako.

“Okay. Since the house is divided, I’m sure Architect Valderama has her own idea for this project. Why don’t we all just meet again and hear about her ideas?” si Ethan.

“Also, Miss Leviste. Your interiors are too much. It looks so extravagant. A geometric shape coffee table? A lamp shade that cost a fortune? It isn’t just modern, tulad ng bathroom design. It is almost for expensive hotels!” si Agatha.
“I agree with you, Agatha. This is a clear manifestation that this design is expensive and not for the middle class,” si Tita Relani.
“This is what it should be since it has to live to its promise… as a modern subdivision with high-end-looking houses,” Radleigh said in a lazy drawl.

“I acknowledge Miss Valderama’s comments. I also would like to give the Vice President’s suggestion a chance. I will set another appointment for this project. I want Architect Agatha Valderama’s take on this. Before I can finally endorse… and before everyone can finally decide which project… we should work on.”

“Thank you, po, sa pagbabahagi ng opinyon ninyo. I appreciate it so much. I hope I can be a better Architect through this experience.”
“You’re still to learn more. Why did Radleigh give you this job when we only get the most skilled Engineers and Architects?”

“I have only less experience. It’s an honor to be hired for this job and I will continue to study for it, po. Kahit na hindi nagustuhan ang aking disenyo, maaari naman akong matuto sa mga opinyon ng mga magagaling.”

I smiled and nodded at her. She looked at me straight in the eyes. It reminded me so much of Rad’s hooded eyes.

“Don’t worry, Rad. She isn’t that emotional. She has to hear what I have to say. Nag research ka sana ng maayos!” si Ethan.
“I believed in the skills of our employees. Of course, that’s better than research!” giit ko. “And don’t worry, I will research again!”
“Tama naman iyon, Ethan. We just have to make a deal with some affiliates. It’s feasible.”

Idinidirekta ko ang disenyong gusto ko sa iba pang bagay. So aside from my Vista Grande houses design, I also made a designs for… whatever. I don’t know where to use it… or maybe, I have an idea but I’m just too scared to finally admit it.

“Are you done with your new presentation?” si Agatha na biglang nasa gilid ko.
“I’m working on it with my team.”
Tumango siya. “You had all the time last week to polish that and you didn’t do anything about it. Ngayon naman, you’d rather have an interview with a magazine. If my designs get approved, I hope you’d be sport.”

“So?” he said and started kissing my cheek down my neck.
“Damn it! Rad, there are still employees,” I whispered.
“Konti na lang. Umuwi na ang team mo,” aniya na parang kailangan ayos lang ito.
“Rad…” I called in a very girly voice now.